Hull City’s attempts to sign off the Championship season on a high were dashed as Bristol City snatched a controversial late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at the KCOM Stadium.

The Tigers were on course to record a final-day victory when leading through Jackson Irvine’s crisp finish but Nigel Adkins’ side eventually stumbled in the 90th-minute when conceding what was credited as a Markus Henriksen own goal.

The offside flag had initially been raised when Matty Taylor turned the ball in but after deliberations with his assistant, referee John Brookes awarded the goal.

Bristol City had seen an earlier ‘goal’ ruled out in similar circumstances but they were unable to find the win they needed to stand any chance of reaching the play-offs in an entertaining contest.

A 62nd and final point of the season sees the Tigers finish in 13th place.

Unlike the previous home fixture, that heavy Easter Monday defeat to Sheffield United, City could not be accused of free-wheeling towards the summer. There was bite and intensity to their play that surprisingly often eclipsed that of their visitors.

Jackson Irvine of Hull City celebrates after scoring against Bristol City

Dan Batty and Kevin Stewart, the Tigers’ two central midfielders, both came close from distance before Bowen followed suit with a well-struck free-kick. City’s top scorer also brought a save from Max O’Leary, who tipped around his post.

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The Tigers posed plenty of questions for their play-off chasing guests but Adkins’ men were also reliant on the profligacy of Famara Diedhiou for reaching half-time level.

One miss was bad, firing over Jamie Paterson’s clipped cross, but the second was woeful. Josh Brownhill’s header across the face of the goal begged to be converted yet Diedhiou slammed his attempt against the bar from two yards out.

City continued to chase an opener after the break, with Grosicki’s low cross missing both Fraizer Campbell and Bowen, but that persistence eventually paid off.

A cross into the visitors’ penalty area was only half cleared by Tomas Kalas and that teed up Irvine to dispatch an unstoppable finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Then came the game’s moment of controversy just after the hour mark. Bristol City forced the ball into the net through sub Niclas Eliasson after an initial effort was blocked but the referee and his assistant eventually chalked off the goal for a handball.

The visitors looked as though their race was run during an insipid finale but City were unable to hang on when leaking in the final minute of normal time. Taylor’s attempt appeared to have gone in off a Bristol City team-mate but the officials decided the telling touch had gone in off Henriksen.

Turning point

The Tigers looked like they had done enough to record one last win this season but Bristol City had other ideas. Perhaps it was warranted but it felt like a sucker punch nonetheless.

Good day: Nigel Adkins

As uncertainty continues to linger over his future, the head coach was made fully aware that he has the backing of City supporters. “Nigel Adkins, we want you to stay,” was the chant as the Tigers pushed for a win in the second half.

Bristol City’s big centre forward broke City’s hearts with a late winner at Ashton Gate back in October but here he fluffed his lines in a big way. Two gilt-edged chances were wasted in the first half before he was hooked on the hour mark.

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Not until the first weekend of August will City be back in competitive action and there is plenty to be resolved if this progressive season is not to be undermined. Nigel Adkins’ future has to be first on the agenda to let the Tigers build on the final standing of 13th.

Reece Burke of Hull City brings the ball forward during the Championship match at the KCOM Stadium with Bristol City